Linchpin Rollason key to sky blues charge

Throughout Sydney's charge to glory this season, Renee Rollason has been a key figure in guiding the side full of youngsters to success.

Throughout Sydney's charge to glory this season, Renee Rollason has been a key figure in guiding the side full of youngsters to success.

Playing in the centre of defence, Rollason hasn't limited herself to merely defending, becoming a set-piece expert, netting three times from dead ball situations.

Despite only being 24 years of age, Rollason is a stalwart of the Westfield W-League, last week becoming the competition-s game record holder after making her 70th appearance.

Ahead of Sunday's semi-final against Melbourne Victory at WIN Jubille Oval in Kogarah, we caught up with Rollason to gain her views of the season to date.

Q: A tough result on the weekend, but have been plenty of positives throughout the season?
It was tough on the weekend, but there is also a lot of positive things to take away from the game. The girls worked hard and we were just unlucky to convert our chances.

Q: The team has a good recent record against the Victory, will that give you extra confidence on Sunday?
I don-t think we will be thinking of that when it comes game time. It-s a semi-final and it is completely different to a round game. They will be very dangerous and we will have to be at our best if we want to go onto the final.

Q: Which players from the Victory are you going to have to pay most attention to?
Every player that plays for Melbourne we will have to watch out for, but especially with Lisa DeVanna up front and Jess Fishlock in the middle. Hopefully we can get on top of both these players, if we do then we will have a good chances of winning.

Q: On a personal note, you become the most capped W-League player on the weekend, were you aware of the milestone?
I wasn-t aware about it until I received a message on Twitter a few days before our game.

Q: On the field, you have been Mrs Reliable from free-kicks, how much do you practice these during the week?
Haha I actually was speaking to Jodie Taylor on the bench on the weekend and she asked how I got so good at taking free kicks and asked how often I practise. My answer was, I haven-t really practiced, I just have an idea in my head and I go with it.

Q: Is there any player that you revolve your technique from?
I grew up playing with the likes of Kylie Ledbrook, Heather Garriock, Sally Shipard, so I guess you could say I learnt from them at training and playing with them, but I have also worked really hard to get where I am now.

Q: Who has stood out for you this season from the team?
Everyone has stood out, we have had a tough schedule and to be where we are now is a massive achievement. Everyone has done there individual roles and as a team that-s when we need.

Q: How confident are the squad, as you look to go back to back?
We are confident, but we know we have to preform to go back to back. We need to win the little battles and put away our chances, if we can do this I think we have a really good chance.